Instead of worrying where we'll get our next center, I'll just go out and water my tree which grows 7 footers in their early 20s....................or maybe these kind of players "don't grow on trees"...............

One day after coming to a verbal agreement with free agent Rashard Lewis, the Orlando Magic withdrew their qualifying offer for restricted free agent Darko Milicic on Tuesday. In effect, the move means the Magic have renounced their rights to Milicic and he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

I disagree. When an offered is made, it doesn't come with unlimited time limits. That is the danger of not getting it done by the agent when an offered is made to you. His agent is just trying to save face with his anger. Kind of like the Detnews headline right now "Pistons and Billups still haggling". Detnews ought to be embarrassed for their headline yesterday declaring completion. Now they are trying to shift the blame onto Pistons and Billups calling them hagglers. Somebody should be held accountable over there.

I disagree. When an offered is made, it doesn't come with unlimited time limits. That is the danger of not getting it done by the agent when an offered is made to you. His agent is just trying to save face with his anger. Kind of like the Detnews headline right now "Pistons and Billups still haggling". Detnews ought to be embarrassed for their headline yesterday declaring completion. Now they are trying to shift the blame onto Pistons and Billups calling them hagglers. Somebody should be held accountable over there.

Luke, no he didn't haggle last year. He said he was going to sign it right away and before they could get together, Smith jerked the offer off the table. He said he wanted to let Darko play and set his own value, but then allowed his coach to keep him down.

Anytime Darko would approach a double double, he would jerk him. When DMC got on a roll, he jerked him. He kept Darko with no plays and was nowhere on the shooting option chart. Darko's job was to set picks for everyone but stay out of Grant's lanes, out of the way generally. And although he played better than Battie in every phase of the game, he "did not earn" the chance to start. When he replaced Battie in the starting linup while Battie was hurt, he even played better but Battie got his job back even when he could not catch the ball when he received a pass. The announcers were continually apologizing for Battie's play, but he was starting again.

No chance to set his own worth and when GMs called to talk trades, Otis would not answer the phone or return calls. When it was too late and other GMs had their priorities defined by the players who were available, Otis renouced him.

If that is not shoddy treatment, I don't what would qualify. But of course, I am a Darkoholic so what do I know. Just kidding but I do realize that I have a slightly biased POV, although I try to be fair.

I don't understand why Darko and his agent are so mad. Now Darko can go where ever he wants. He should be happy. It is a business. Rashard Lewis brings more to the table than Darko at this point in there careers. Darko needs to work on his game and go to the next team and show that he is mature and serious about being the best he can be.

I don't understand why Darko and his agent are so mad. Now Darko can go where ever he wants. He should be happy. It is a business. Rashard Lewis brings more to the table than Darko at this point in there careers. Darko needs to work on his game and go to the next team and show that he is mature and serious about being the best he can be.

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From what I read Cornstein had talked to Otis Smith the same day the Rashard deal was announced and Otis kept saying Darko was top priority...never mentioned the pending Rashard deal. So then the Rashard deal gets announced and he feels he was lied to. He has a beef but you are right Darko can play anywhere now so it should be fine.

Jermaine O'Neil managed to come from behind during his career. I think he was with Portland when he showed little potential, and around his fifth season, he started his ascent. Can Darko do this?????? I don't know, but the motivation should be there....................